Best Time To Buy: Winter Coats

Even though there are weeks (and dare I suggest, maybe even months?) left of winter, retailers are clearing their shelves to make room for new spring fashions. I spotted shorts, tanks, and even swimsuits in store windows on my recent shopping trip! Combined with after Christmas clearance sales, the New Year is the best time to score bargains on winter fashions, especially coats and jackets.

Here are a few trends in coats and jackets to keep your eye out for when bargain shopping that I think will look just as fashionable in the coming seasons.

(Psst…many of these coats are just style suggestions. I’m sure you can find many of them cheaper in stores!)

Peacoats

Are peacoats ever not in style? I’m been wearing mine since high school and can’t imagine a winter without it. Keep your peacoat timeless with traditional dark colors (saturated jewel tones can liven things up!) and subtle embellishments.

• St. John’s Bay Short Tab Peacoat originally $200 ON SALE for $69.99
• American Eagle Wool Peacoat originally $119.50 ON SALE for $79.95
• Michael Kors Wool Peacoat originally $250 ON SALE for $166.90
• Talbots Thinsulate Lined Peacoat originally $269 ON SALE for $150.74

Capes

I like to think of capes as updated pea coats. Look for wool or flannel capes in gray, navy, black, or camel, just like you would a pea coat and you’ll be wearing your cape for years to come. If you’re fuller figured, look for longer lengths and strategically placed belts to add some shape to your cape.

• French Connection Crusade Cape originally $358 ON SALE for $279.99
• Spiegel Cape Jacket originally $74 ON SALE for $20.99
• ASOS Vintage Cape $137.92 (navy ON SALE for $68.96)
• Aubun & Wills Military Cape originally $700 ON SALE for $420

Skirted Coats

One of my favorite winter trends this year is the skirted coat. Like a peacoat, but with a longer, fuller bottom, I don’t see these coats going out of style anytime soon. I think they have a very vintage and ladylike feel to them – perfect to wear with dresses and skirts.

• Calvin Klein Skirted Wool Coat originally $198 ON SALE for $129.90
• Top Shop Princess Coat $190
• Calvin Klein Military Inspired Coat originally $218 ON SALE for $139.90
• Clifton Coat $120

Puffer Coats

More a necessity than a fashion statement, the puffer coat is a must-have. Look for belted styles and those that nip in at the waist so you don’t lose your figure and look puffy in a puffer. (And could you please do me a personal favor? Remove those hideous fake fur hoods!)

• GAP Long Belted Puffer Coat originally $128 ON SALE for $59.99
• Lands’ End Lightweight Down Jacket originally $79.50 ON SALE for $49.99
• Aeropostal Belted Puffer Coat originally $99.50 ON SALE for $29.99
• J. Jill Cocooning Puffer Coat originally $189 ON SALE for $139.99

My new cute white purse!

I think every woman needs a cute white purse.  A great white handbag is as versatile, and necessary, as a black or brown bag – especially in the spring and summer.

My go-to white purse was in sad shape after much use and abuse over the last three years, so I decided it was time to replace it.  A few weekends ago I found this beautiful white satchel by Dereon (Beyonce’s brand) at TJ Maxx.

I am in love with this bag.

You can’t tell from the picture, but when carried it’s got a great slouchy look and super cute knots on the side.

I was so excited to share it with all of you – and then I couldn’t find the damn thing anywhere online.  I finally tracked it down on the Dereon website – and it can be yours, for only $119.

Um, yeah.  I paid much, much less for this bag at TJ Maxx.  Unfortunately, you never know what your local TJ Maxx will have in store because inventory varies from one store to another.

So maybe you can’t have this exact white purse.  I’m sure you’re crushed.

But!  Wait!  I’ve found a bunch of other cute white purses for you to choose from!

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Adventures in Self Tanners – What Works and What Doesn’t

Ah, the beginning of summer (Or spring, as it’s known in places other than Florida.)  It’s the time of year when we’re pulling out shorts and summer dresses – and realizing that our arms and legs resemble the color of peeled chicken.

When I was younger, I would have prepared for this time of year months in advanced with an unlimited tanning package at my local tanning salon.  I would carefully develop a base tan and watch as the little playboy bunny shaped white spot on my stomach became more and more noticeable as my tan got darker.

And then I grew up and discovered that I was spending a whole lot of time and money that could go towards bills and my family and possibly giving myself skin cancer in the process.  Skin cancer is not fashionable.

Neither, however, is my wintery white chicken skin complexion.

Thus began my search for the perfect sunless tanner.

A good self tanner needs to work quickly – because I usually decide I want a tan about 12 hours before I’m going to a beach; should not turn my skin orange – because Oompa Loompa’s are not sexy; and should not streak – because, well, duh.

In my quest for the perfect sunless tanner, I’ve tried everything from the high dollar car wash approach of the Mystic Spray Tan to the cheap do-it-yourself drugstore brands.  Here’s what I’ve found…
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Comfortable Sandals That Aren’t Flip Flops: Clarks

Last Friday morning I pulled on running pants and a t-shirt and slipped on an old pair of Old Navy flip flops to run my daughter to day care.

“Mommy, why are you wearing flip flops?” my daughter asked.

“What do you mean?” I asked, wondering if she was going to suggest that slippers would be more fitting for the rest of my ensemble.

“Well, couldn’t you at least put on some real shoes?”

She’s four.  And I couldn’t have been more proud.  Even my four year old understands that leaving the house in flip flops is the epitome of laziness.

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Cheap Purses For Spring

It’s officially spring.

I love when the seasons change and we get to put away the clothing and accessories we’re starting to get tired of and go shopping for new things.

For me, spring and summer fashions are all about light and bright.  I think of sunshine and being outdoors, and my wardrobe and accessories reflect a more playful attitude.

One of the first things I do when the seasons change is go shopping for new purses.

And my favorite kind of purses are cheap purses.  Scratch that.  Cheap, cute purses are my favorites.

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